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DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "wvvstrom" wrote:
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> What is the biggest tire size -front and rear that will fit, and i can use safely on my 2008 KLR 650. I'am a big ole boy,( kinda look like a elephant on a roller blade) Can you guys suggest a tire brand that will wear good and last awhile? Love the bike and the outdoors. Yes trying to lose some weight. Thanks for any input.
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~~~You didn't specify what type of riding you do. If you're riding mostly road (paved) you want a more paved road based tire. If you're riding a lot of off road, then your concern should lie more with what will work best in the terrain you ride vs. what will last longest. Grip is everything off road (on road too for that matter). For instance, the Kenda 270 is liked by a lot of riders here as sort of a 50/50 tire but I need a front tire that will handle sugar sand w/aplomb, so the K 270 front is useless. FWIW, in the loose stuff I like to ride, the Pirelli Pro FIM I have on now is kicking ass. Please excuse me for going sort of OT but anyone looking for a front tire that will handle loose terrain (such as sugar sand), look no further than Pirelli Pro FIM IMO. A local peep that turned me onto them said the Dunlop D 606 front will work better and last longer on the tarmac (a front tire this KLR n00b considered) but will not provide as good traction off road as the Pirelli Pro FIM
In regards to tire size...you should find plenty of good choices in the OEM suggested sizes, just keep them aired up to support GVWR when on the road. I like the factory recommened air pressure schedule for paved riding, 20 PSI front, 28 PSI rear. Some here run more air pressure in the rear on pavement and that will help with longevity in some instances. My exp with the Pirelli Scorpion AT rear, that tire with my weight (270 lbs.) and riding style seemned to like mid thirties PSI but when I was running a Kenda 270 in the rear, I liked running that rear just under 30 PSI. Just remember, there are a lot of factors that go towards using a particular air pressure, but under inflated tires should be avoided on paved road for safety reasons
If you decide to try the kenda 270 rear, a very popular tire with KLR riders, do not order the smaller of the two that will fit on the rear 17" rim, if you are looking for higher load rating which I think you want as you said you are heavy. the K 270 rear comes in a 4.60" and 5.10" width. You want to order the 5.10"...to have a higher load rating. I ran the 4.60" for awhile, it has a lower load rating but will offer a different gear ratio vs. changing drive sprockets. how different?...the 4.60 is a smaller circumference so you will turn more RPM's in any given gear (tranny)...beneficial for low speed off road but you would be better off changing to a 14 tooth front sprocket to achieve the same or nearly same ratio that a smaller rear tire will provide. Just throwing that out there. I never had problems with tire failure ruinning the 4.60/17 Kenda 270 rear but I didn't run it long enough to try and sqeeze the last 30% out of it, from a tread depth POV, nor did I ride it continually at 80 + MPH
90/90/21 is the front size recommended but there is in the kenda 270 front, a wider tire that will work (3.25"?). I'm not sure the wider width is for a higher load rating...could be. I think the main thing you want to do for a tire to do it's job on tarmac is to keep it aired up to at least 20 PSI. Lowering the pressure will allow the tire to put more tread down in off road situations but on tarmac running lower air pressures will allow the tire to heat up and could possibly cause a tire failure if ridden long enough and especially, fully loaded, and at higher speeds. Once you understand the main thing in regards to tires that keeps your bike rolling along is tire pressure, you start to appreciate the task of looking after using and maintaining proper tire air pressure. Remember the Firestone SUV tire debacle a few years back? Although it was found, many of those tires were defective, lower inflation pressures exacerbated the tire's failure proness
Jake
Reddick Fla.
Do not mess with the forces of Nature, for thou art small and biodegradable!"
http://www.shakinjake.blogspot.com/
I've only seen 90/90-21 and a couple of manufacturers with 100/90-21s which should be a LITTLE larger diameter.
Let us know your results.
-Jeff Khoury